Following our previous reports on the stunning Sparkman & Stephens Finistere Yawl ‘Tocatta’, we are delighted to share these photos of her new main mast, stepped last week. The all-new spars, including main and mizzen masts and booms, have been a collaboration between Noble Masts and Fox’s Marina & Boatyard.
Noble Masts have a patented system of jointing and assembling hollow wooden spars crafted from Douglas fir, producing a superbly lightweight, engineered product. The general arrangement, specialist spar detailing, fittings and finishing was managed by Fox’s, including fabrication of custom stainless steel spreader and shroud attachments – all based on original design detail.
Toccata was built by The Berthon Boat Company in 1963 for Judge Peter Bristow and overseen by her legendary designer Olin Stephens. Since then she has been in continuous ownership of the Northcroft Brown family who are delighted with the results of the hard work and specialist skill shown by the team of craftsmen at Fox’s.
Michael Northcroft Brown comments “I have sailed on Tocatta for 50 years so I make sure all the work done on her is the very best standard. Fox’s has made a completely new rig, with stainless steel fittings. I am in awe! Beautifully made the old fashioned way (no CNC used), every fitting is light weight and strong. A pure representation of Sparkman & Stephens Finisterre design – and finished perfectly. To say I am delighted is an understatement. I know of very few yards which are capable of such fine workmanship.”
